FedEx suspends domestic express freight services as omicron hits employees

FedEx said on Tuesday it has paused its domestic express freight services as a result of staff shortages related to COVID-19. 

The company announced that it has suspended its economy domestic FedEx express freight, which includes two-day freight and three-day freight services, because of a surge in infections fueled by the highly contagious omicron variant, according to Reuters. 

FedEx previously paused its international economy freight pickup services, but those operations resumed on Monday, Reuters added.

This is not the first time the delivery company has had service issues related to COVID-19. Last month, FedEx said that an uptick in infections fueled by the omicron variant caused staffing shortages and delays in shipments transported on aircrafts, Reuters reported.

Outside of delivery issues, COVID-19-related labor shortages have also hit schools and caused disruptions across the country.

In response to those staffing problems, the Department of Education released a new guidance on hiring and retention last week.

In a letter to state and school officials last month, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said “one in four district leaders and principals are reporting severe staffing shortages.” 

Cardona has proposed easing some regulatory obstacles and directly incentivizing workers in an effort to address the shortages.

Surges in COVID-19 infections have also caused labor shortages at stores and businesses such as CVS and Walgreens, which closed some stores over a weekend earlier this month after a number of workers contracted the omicron variant of COVID-19.